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SEARCHChristy Gilpatrick of Rhode Island crashes into the bus while driving allegedly under the influence of alcohol, causing the bus to veer off the road and land in the woods. Several students and adults on board were injured.
BERKLEY, Mass. — A school bus here went off the road after a motorist, who was allegedly operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, crashed into the bus on Saturday night, police said.
The incident occurred around 9:45 p.m. on Route 24 southbound, just south of exit 11, when the school bus went off the right shoulder of the two-lane highway and landed in the woods, according to a news release from the Massachusetts State Police.
Approximately 23 passengers, ranging from adults to young children, were on board the bus that was returning to Tiverton, Rhode Island, from a group trip to LaSalette Shrine in North Attleboro, according to police. Several passengers on board, including some students, suffered serious injuries, and were transported to local hospitals.
The car of the motorist also went off the roadway, and the motorist, Christy Gilpatrick, 27, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and a marked lanes violation. Police said they are determining whether or not Gilpatrick's impairment caused the crash.
View updates about the crash, posted on the Massachusetts State Police Department's Twitter page, below.
UPDATE #5—Operator of the other vehicle that went off the road in this incident has been determined to be OUI and was arrested. However whether that operator’s impairment caused the crash, or whether another cause, remains under investigation. Heavy duty tow truck now onscene. https://t.co/wwUBRGEoJ2
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) December 2, 2018
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